Touchdown in South America, and my first stop was Santiago in Chile. On recommendation I booked straight into the Hostal Forrestal - a cute and kooky hostel near the centre, which has modern facilities, free brekkie and regular BBQs (don't be a vegetarian in South America, not only are you unlikely to eat anything other than various forms of potatoes but you're also massively missing out). The city immediately surprised me - there was so much greenery everywhe...

From Darwin I headed back to Sydney for my last week in Australia. Thanks to my brother being my brother, my first stop after arriving at the airport was the pub so I tucked straight into a few bevvies to re-establish myself into the Bondi way of life. It was great to settle back in with Tommy and all of his friends, who had been so welcoming and friendly last time I was there. Lazily on my behalf, this time in Sydney was mostly about soaking up some sun on t...

Finally, yes, finally I managed to leave Exmouth (it had been looking pretty risky that I'd be stuck there for all eternity). Before heading out I joined some of the other detainees in renting a car to drive down to the beautiful Coral Bay, just over an hour South. There's not much there except for the beach and a few houses and shops but the beach was absolutely stunning - the water was so clear and shallow that if you stood knee deep in the ocean you could see ...

Yeah, so I may have mentioned a beautiful relationship with Exmouth. Well, I suppose you could say that's what I have. It's much like one of those long term relationships where you sit in silence over your lamb chops and watery gravy, desperately longing for the tiniest hint of a conversation, but knowing that when it comes it will be so dull and ridiculous you won't even bother replying. One of those relationships where maybe you've been together for so long t...

I moved on from Perth on Monday and headed to a beautiful beach-side town called Kalbarri, which sits exactly where the Murcheson River joins the ocean. Absolutely gorgeous, and the hostel had a pool so I was one happy mama. I immediately purchased myself a rather exciting looking hiking and canoe tour and began flexing my biceps in preparation (yes, I do know what biceps are... or at least roughly where they might be). After a stupidly early start - I mean hone...